Interns Rock

So far 30 Government agencies have hired 158 interns and with two months left before the Summer Intern Programme officially closes, that number is expected to reach 200. Public Works Department leads with a total of 22; Royal Cayman Islands Police is next with 10, and Workforce Opportunities, Residency Cayman (WORC) have nine interns.

A big part of the celebration is identifying the Top Interns for 2019:

Rhimar Williams (RCIPS) and Minelli Tibbetts (Judicial Department) took the Top Intern title,

while individual categories such as the Teamwork award went to Monique Duarte (Ministry of Commerce, Planning and Infrastructure);

the Commitment certificate went to Rhiana Williams (Department of Planning);

the Customer Service award went to Tarran Ebanks (Labour & Pensions);

and the Leadership certificate went to Ben J Ebanks-Morales (Public Works Department).

Acting Deputy Governor Gloria McField-Nixon opened the standing room only event, explaining the importance of the Summer Intern Programme. Mrs McField-Nixon also started her Civil Service career as an intern at Radio Cayman.

“My first job way back when was to cue up a record. Most of you may not know what a file is or have seen a record," she joked.

"I queued the records by doing a three-quarter turn to avoid that “waha” sound when the music gets going."

In his capacity as Acting Governor, Hon Franz Manderson told audience members that it was his “privilege and a joy to look across the room to a sea of smiling faces."

He began his Civil Service career 37 years and 13 days ago in the Immigration Department.

"It was the best decision I ever made in my life," Mr Manderson declared.

"Look where I am today – the little guy from the West who liked play to football is now the acting Governor of the Cayman Islands.”

"I am asked what the secret to success is; how did I go from an hourly paid worker filing some cards at Immigration to be the Acting Governor." He said, "It's about hard work, dedication, commitment, honesty, integrity, but it is also about having genuine care for your colleagues and for the people you serve. Your qualification will get in the door, but it's your attitude that will carry you to the top.”

Mr Manderson then invited the interns to return to the Government and "take part in the Caymanian miracle."

“Nothing would give me more pleasure than to welcome you back to work with us sharing your knowledge with CIG. Making the lives you serve better is one great privilege you will have.

Mr Manderson informed the interns how Civil Servants makes lives better in ways the private sector can never do. "We have allowed people to live here for the rest of their life by granting them Status; We help save their eyesight, or to help athletes play football overseas by granting visas within a day. A little effort makes a significant impact."

Ms Hill-Malice shared that she started her internship in 2011 and imparted the advice she was given and learned along the way.

“Never think of yourself as just an intern. Be teachable and coachable, be confident and take feedback or constructive criticism; be humble and act with integrity," she said.

Dr Ebanks-Garcia shared the recent passing of a friend as she urged the interns to act intentionally and deliberately; on purpose

"It requires that we don't just go with the flow, letting the tide take us where it may, but rather it requires that we chart a course, that we choose a direction and a destination. It means being present in our lives, consciously aware of what is going on around us. It means that life doesn't happen to us; it arrives with us.

"As you move from this internship to the next chapter of your journey, I encourage you to live intentionally, deliberately and on purpose. As you do that, discover your hopes, dreams and aspirations and pursue them relentlessly," she concluded.

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